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JAPAN
Dec 20, 2003

Metro diesel curbs seen clearing air

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government said Friday that its regulations on diesel-engine vehicles have helped reduce elemental carbon and cancer-causing particulate matter in the air in Tokyo.
JAPAN
Dec 20, 2003

Union membership under 20% for first time in postwar era

Union membership under 20% for first time in postwar era
JAPAN
Dec 20, 2003

15% fall in problem pupils finds doubters

The number of students at public elementary, junior high and high schools detained by police or taken to family courts for problematic behavior fell 15.4 percent in fiscal 2002 from the previous year to 4,317, according to an education ministry report released Friday.
BUSINESS
Dec 20, 2003

Matsushita takes control of unit

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. said Friday it will raise its stake in Matsushita Electric Works Ltd. from 31.8 percent to 51 percent, thereby making the lighting and housing equipment maker a subsidiary.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Dec 20, 2003

All I want for Christmas is Mori Living

How's your life space these days? Do you have the correct balance of relax space, social space and, say, foot space? In Japan, space is a topic of constant discussion. Hair salons are called "hair space" and companies tout products for "your enjoy living space."
BUSINESS
Dec 20, 2003

Toshiba, Nissho Iwai in Vietnam deal

Toshiba Corp. and Nissho Iwai Corp. said Friday they have won a 5 billion yen contract to supply hydroelectric generating equipment for a hydroelectric power project in Vietnam.
JAPAN
Dec 20, 2003

ASDF unit gets Mideast flying orders

Preparations to send Self-Defense Forces personnel to Iraq got into full swing Friday, with Defense Agency chief Shigeru Ishiba issuing orders for the dispatch of an advance unit.
JAPAN
Dec 20, 2003

Overall crime down -- but murder on rise

The number of crimes in Japan is expected to drop in 2003 for the first time in eight years, according to a report on January-November crime figures released by the National Police Agency.
BUSINESS
Dec 20, 2003

McDonald's founder's exit doubles loss

The Japanese unit of U.S. fast-food chain McDonald's expects its loss for this fiscal year to double because of a special loss it will book for costs related to cutting ties with a longtime management consultant.
COMMENTARY
Dec 20, 2003

Iraq and Japan's far right

If you think Japan's right wing is inevitably pro-American then think again. Over policy on Iraq and the Middle East, the gap between the conservative rightwingers, who support the United States, and their ideological kin on the extreme right is about as wide as it can get.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHEN EAST MARRIES WEST
Dec 20, 2003

The early bird gets the proverb

A good beginning makes a good ending; that's my philosophy.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / PERSONALITY PROFILE
Dec 20, 2003

Colin Brown

Colin Brown says he is a lifelong rail fan. He has a strong personal interest additionally in "trams," the English term he uses for streetcars. His twin passions have brought him twice a year for the last six years to Japan. He praises especially "the discipline, smartness, courtesy and dedication of...
BUSINESS
Dec 20, 2003

Ministry set to propose 82.11 trillion yen budget draft

The Finance Ministry was set to propose a fiscal 2004 budget draft Saturday totaling 82.11 trillion yen, up 0.4 percent from the initial fiscal 2003 budget, according to a copy of the draft obtained Friday by Kyodo News.
COMMUNITY
Dec 20, 2003

Over 4,000 babies delivered and still counting

Dr. Hideki Sakamoto is late for the very best of reasons. "I had an emergency at the hospital, but am happy to be able to say that mother and baby are both doing well."
BUSINESS
Dec 20, 2003

Real growth seen at 1.8% in fiscal 2004

Japan's economy is expected to expand 1.8 percent in real terms and 0.5 percent in nominal terms in fiscal 2004, the government said Friday.
BUSINESS
Dec 20, 2003

Delay investment trust sales by Japan Post, Aso suggests

Posts minister Taro Aso said Friday his ministry should not submit a bill for allowing Japan Post to sell investment trusts before the government compiles a final report on the entity's privatization next fall.
JAPAN
Dec 19, 2003

Laboratories get warning on handling SARS samples

With a new SARS case reported in Taiwan, the health ministry has issued an alert to research institutes and local governments to be extremely careful when handling samples of the virus for research purposes.
JAPAN
Dec 19, 2003

Average surface temperature falls to five-year low

Bucking the recent warming trend, the average surface temperature in Japan this year was the lowest since 1997, according to the Meteorological Agency.
JAPAN
Dec 19, 2003

One in three abused kids turn to teachers

Roughly one in three sexually abused children in Japan choose to seek help from their schoolteachers, and more than half of all cases come to light when the victims decide to disclose their ordeals, according to a recent study.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 19, 2003

Officials debate details of Futenma move

National and local government officials met Thursday to discuss industrial development and other issues surrounding the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corp's Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture.
JAPAN
Dec 19, 2003

Japan balks at cooperating with China in orgy probe

The top government spokesman indicated Thursday it will be difficult for Japan to accept China's call to cooperate in an investigation into an orgy at a south China hotel in September involving hundreds of Japanese businessmen and Chinese prostitutes.
JAPAN
Dec 19, 2003

Savings for 82.1 trillion yen budget eyed

Cabinet ministers agreed Thursday on key spending cuts for the next fiscal year, paving the way for the Finance Ministry to release its blueprint for the fiscal 2004 budget.
JAPAN
Dec 19, 2003

Smaller yearend shrine turnout expected

Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples are expected to draw fewer visitors during the upcoming New Year's holidays than they did in 2003, the National Police Agency said Thursday.
JAPAN
Dec 19, 2003

Koizumi OKs SDF deployment plan

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Thursday approved a deployment plan for Ground Self-Defense Force troops bound for Iraq.
BUSINESS
Dec 19, 2003

Ministry to boost intervention funds

The Finance Ministry is set to boost its war chest for currency market intervention in fiscal 2004 by 40 trillion yen, a move that would bring the total for such use to 140 trillion yen, ministry sources said Thursday.

Longform

The volunteer lifesavers of Nishihama Surf Lifesaving Club never know what's in store at the start of their day.
It's no simple day at the beach for Japan's volunteer lifesavers